Support device



Nov. 4, 1947. J. A. MORRISON SUPPORT DEVICE Filed sept.v 7. 1944 luv I l l I x l l INVENToR.

JAM Es Afmonmson.'

Patented Nov. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPOIUI.` DEVICE James A. Morrison, Rocky River, Ohio Application September '7, 1944, Serial No. 552,985

This invention relates, as indicated, to support devices, but has reference more particularly to devices of this character which are especially adapted for use as safety rails for bathtubs.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid character which may be quickly and easily installed in a bathtub, and

which, when installed, is capable of resisting any and all efforts to displace the same by any pull or push which a normal individual is capable of exerting. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety rail of the character described, which is adaptable for use in connection with bathtubs having wallsof different slopes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having seating members which are capable of accommodating themselves to Walls of any slope.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be installed without the use of fastening means which are likely to injure or damage the walls between which the device is installed.

A still further object of the invention is to pro` vide a device of the character described, which is so constructed as to readily adapt it for use as a shower curtain rod or as a clothes closet rod.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the followingr description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a preferred form of the device and i claims. (c1. 4-185) showing the device as used for a safety rail for bathtubs;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a modied form of the device;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, showing another modification of the device;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a further modification of the device;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, showing the use of an expansion spring in connection with the device of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken von the line E-E of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numerals l and 2 represent the sides or side walls of a bathtub of conventional form and between which the device of the present invention is adapted to be mounted.

The device consists of a central tubular portion 3, preferably in the form of a metallic tube which is chromium-plated', a metallic cap 4 at one end, which has a slip or sliding t over the tube 3, and a metallic sleeve 5 at the other end, which is in threaded engagement with the tube 3, the cap and sleeve being also preferably chromium-plated. f

The cap 4 has a spherical socket 6 at one end which is in engagement with a seat member or stamping in the form of a metallic disc 1 having a spherical protuberance 8 with which the socket 6 is in engagement, the joint between the cap and protuberance being, in effect, a ball and socket joint. The seat member also has cemented to the rear 'or outer surface thereof a gasket or disc 9 of sheet rubber, approximately 31-2 of an inch in thickness. The seat member is also preferably chromium plated.

Thesleeve 5 is in engagement with a seat member or stamping in the vform of a metallic disc I0 having a spherical protuberance Il with which the end of the sleeve 5 is in engagement, the joint between the sleeve and protuberance being, in effect, a ball and socket joint, similar to that between the cap 4 and spherical protuberance 8. The seat member is also chromiumplated and has cemented to the rear or outer surface thereof a gasket or disc l2 of sheet rubber, for the same thickness as the disc 9. K

When the device is to Ibe used as a safety rail fora bathtub, as illustrated in Fig. 1, it is located in the bathtub adjacent the faucet end of the tub, and is positioned to extend transversely of the tub, between the Walls I and 2 thereof. The device is then expanded by rotating the sleeve 5 relatively to the tube or rail 3, so as to cause the ends of the rail to apply pressure to the spherical seats 8 and Il, thereby creating a friction or frictional pressure between the rubber discs 9 and I2 and the respective walls l and 2 of the tub. This friction or frictional pressure is so great as to resist any and all efforts to displace the rail by any pull or push which a normal individual is capable of exerting. The device, consequently, is well-adapted for use as a safety rail for bathtubs. Y Due to the provision of the ball and socket joints, to which reference has been made, the device is adaptable for use in connection with bathtubs having Walls of different slopes, the seating members readily accommodating themselves to any slope upon the application of pressure thereto by the ends of the rail.v

It will be readily understood that although the device has been described particularly with reference to its use as a safety rail for bathtubs, that it is so constructed as to readily adapt it for use as a shower curtain rod or as a clothes closet rod. In such uses, the seating members will, of course, be disposed in vertical planes.

In some cases, where the Walls against which the seating members are to be disposed are sufficiently smooth, the rubber gaskets or discs may be dispensed With,f and1if desired, the outersurfaces of the discs maybe knurled orroughened to provide frictional resistance between the discs and the walls.

In Fig. 2, a modified form of the device is shown, in which the central or rail portion I3 of the device is made of a Wooden Lrovdihavinga reduced end I4 to which an `.externally threaded metallic ferrule I5 is secured, as by a press fit, an adjustable metallic sleeve I6, similar .to the sleeve 5, being secured to such ferrule. The .wooden -rod d3 rmay ibe .coated lWithfa suitable .-lacguer,1or y.may besheathedfin-a tube `of lplastic.

In .Fig .13, :another modi-cation ;of lthe device =is shown, in `which @the .central Lor zrail .portion Il ,of .the device -isinzthe form otalmetallictube vhaving .-aplastic coating -or.-sheathing-1Iv8, and .a cap or .sleeve fIS is gadiustably secured to :the lend or" the tube I1, said cap having a spherical .endif-2li :seated vin the spherical seat or socket :2.-I :of a seating .member or :disc 22, iwhich has a :disc Z3-,of sheet'rubber .cemented to vthe outer sur- -face thereof.

In llig. 44, a further modification :of Athe .device iisashown, in \Which.one endof .thesleeve .24 is Ainthe-formoi-aspherical-surfacewhich is seated ainfasphericalsseat-orsocketf2Spf a seating member for plate 26, which :basa-disc :21 of sheet Vrubber cemented to the outer surface thereof.

It Will be understood that Where the :various iforms of-the invention-shown in'fFigs..2, 3 and 4 r .are.used,=thatfthe:rubber gaskets or-discs may be .dispensed with, fand, rif-desired, the outer surfaces .,of the discs or ,seating members may ybe lknurled or roughened 4to provide lfrictional lresistance between the .discs .and the iwalls.

In Fig. :5, a `stillsfurther `modication `01 the device is `fshown .in .which Aa fstar .spring 28 `is interposed 4between one r.end -of the tube -3 and the cap 4, this .spring serving 'to permit vany slight expansion :inthe-.tube resulting Yfrom an in- -creasein temperaturexthereof.

ItLis .to rbe understood that .the ,form of my in- Mention, yherewithshown-and described, Yis to :be Itakenasa preferred .example yof the same, and ,that variouschanges in Athe shape, size and -arrangement of .parts may be resorted to, `without departing VYfrom `thespirit vof .my invention, Vor the scope .of .the subjoined claims.

Having thus rdescribed .my invention, -I lclaim:

1. A device of .the .character vdescribed comprising -a .pair lof :spaced seat A,members consisting .of `discs having .central spherical protuberances, .a rail .interposedbetweensaid members, said rail havingaremovable cap on one end/thereof ihaving a Yspherical socket .engaging `one .of .said lprovtuberances .andan adjustable sleeve on .ther other end of the rail engaging the other ,ofsaid pro- .tuberancea the baseszof said protuberances each ,having `a Iconsiderably 4larger diameter than the .diameter of :the .socket and adjustable sleeve whereby ,c,onsiderable zportions of :said spherical 5 prising a pair of spaced seat members consisting of discs having central spherical protuberances, a rail interposed'between said members, said rail having a removable cap on one end thereof having a spherical socket engaging one .ofsaid protuberances and -an adjustable sleeve vthreaded on theother-end of the rail and engaging the other of said protuberances, said sleeve having an unthreaded portion extending -from x'its threaded portion and overlying the rail in spaced relation thereto whereby the sleeve .may be Aadjusted-along the rail without exposing the `tlneadsf on said rail to view, the bases of said protuberances each having a considerably larger 'diameter than the diameter of lthe socket and adjustable sleeve whereby considerable portions of vsaid spherical protuberances are exposed to permit-fa greater range of angular adjustment -between fthe .rail and .seat members.

3. Aideviceof thecharacter-described compris- ,25 ing va pair of spaced seat members consisting of .discs having central spherical protuberances, a rail ,interposedV between said members, said rail havinggi` removable-cap on one endthereof having aspherical socket engaging one of said provtuberancesand an adjustable sleeve onthe other end of the rail engaging the other of said oro- .tuberances, the bases-of .said protuberances each havingeJ v.considerably larger diameter than diametero the socket cap and adjustable sleeve whereby considerableportions of said spherical `protuber1/trices .are `exposed 'to .permit a greater range ,of .angular adjustment between the rail andseat members, and spring means interposed between thevendof the rail andcap and yieldably urging .the cap into :engagement ywith its `protuberance so 'that expansion land contraction .of Y'the .rail with reference to the seats is per- .mitted 4. A device-of vthe character described comprisinga pair Aoi spacedseat members, each having a sphericalsurlace a rail .interposed ybetween said members, vsaid rail .havinga :removable 'member on -one .endthereoh oneend of which ...n en- `vgagement with the spherical surfacel oi one oi '50 said seat members,` and an adjustable sleeve on the other end of the rail engaging the spherical .surface .of Athe other .of .saidv seat members, the .diameters of each ,of said spherical surfaces at `thebase thereof being considerably greater than 'the diameter of said removable member and adjustablesleeve, whereby considerable portici-:is of `said spherical surfaces are exposed to permit greater range `of angular .adjustment between the rail and seat members.

JAMES A. Montessori.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Yfile of this patent:

NHED STATES PATENTS 

